Brain MRI: Do findings possibly indicate small vessel brain disease?

Posted by sarah371 @sarah371, Jan 19 11:27am

Hello,

My recent brain MRI indicates 'moderate likely small vessel ischemic changes and moderate hyperintense T2/Flair signal of the corona radiata bilaterally'.

Do these findings possibly indicate small vessel brain disease that may be similar to my previously diagnosed coronary microvascular disease?

Thank you.

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Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Mar 29 7:00am

In reply to @red79 "GPS don't seem to know anything about small vessel disease of the brain." + (show)

@red79 Do you mean your GP? Your primary care provider? Small vessel disease of the brain is better addressed by a specialist - a neurologist. Has your primary care provider referred you to a neurologist?

red79 | @red79 | Mar 29 10:45am

In reply to @naturegirl5 "@red79 Do you mean your GP? Your primary care provider? Small vessel disease of the brain..." + (show)

I've only had one phone call from neurologist last October telling me what MRI results showed.thanks naturegirl15.how are you keeping.

briarrose | @briarrose | Apr 6 11:57am

sarah371 - Yes, coronary microvascular disease is related to "small vessel disease" in the brain.
Microvascular disease is systemic so it is not a surprise. I also am in the same boat.
For the brain there is really nothing to do...but do treat your coronary microvascular disease with medications and life style changes - which, in turn, will also help your brain. As you know "microvascular disease" in the heart can not be stented...only the large, major coronary arteries can be stented. Yes, it is the same as the heart...the culprit is plaque build up through the years. And, in my case, it's also genetic. For the heart the result is chronic, periodic angina attacks - main medication is Ranexa to combat this chronic angina. Talk to your cardiologist. At the very least you should be on low dose aspirin, a beta blocker, a calcium channel blocker, cholesterol lowering medication(s) and ranitidine (generic for Ranexa). Plus and this is a big plus - healthy life style changes no matter your age. Healthy eating, lots of fruits and veggies, weight control, exercise and stress management. And you should also be under the care of a neurologist for your brain condition. I also have migraines...a double whammy which are hard to get under control. The head pain almost constant despite medications and because of the coronary MVD I can not take the triptans or NSAIDs (Advil, Motrin, Aleve, etc.) b/c they can cause a heart attack.
I try not to think or stress about the small vessel disease in my brain...because the only thing I can do is manage my heart well with medications and life style changes which will only help the brain also. That's it.
The cards we have been dealt. The only thing to do is deal. Wishing you the very best. You are not alone!

briarrose | @briarrose | Apr 6 11:59am

In reply to @rubytue70 "Are you talking about Microvascular disease? If so, that is very common for people as they..." + (show)

Yes, you are right rubytue70. Microvascular disease is very common in folks as they age.

red79 | @red79 | Apr 6 12:19pm

In reply to @briarrose "sarah371 - Yes, coronary microvascular disease is related to "small vessel disease" in the brain. Microvascular..." + (show)

I wish you the very best,I keep my mind off this by doing quizs, and games, jigsaws, and some reading thank you for your helpful information.any time you need a chat I'm herex

rubytue70 | @rubytue70 | Apr 6 5:47pm

In reply to @briarrose "sarah371 - Yes, coronary microvascular disease is related to "small vessel disease" in the brain. Microvascular..." + (show)

Thanks Sarah371. Yes, I am on statins and my cholesterol has gone down from 280 to 175 in just a few months! The correlation between heart and brain is so important. Daily exercise, protein, not too much fat, lots of liquids, fruits and veggies and NO processed junk foods!. I do love my wine but have cut down from two glasses at dinnertime to one.

leemoore13 | @leemoore13 | Aug 2 4:14pm

In reply to @rubytue70 "Are you talking about Microvascular disease? If so, that is very common for people as they..." + (show)

I attended a neurologist for an unrelated issue and HD ordered a brain MRI. My doctor rand me yesterday and said my brain showed a lot of ischaemic changes usually seen in someone who has either had stroke(s) or TIAs and is generally older (I am.67). I had been told a couple of years ago.thst I have lipoprotein a and also some atherosclerosis. However I really got a scare when she phoned me...
I'm waiting for the neurologist to talk to me, but my doctor is suggesting that he'll probably just put me on aspirin
Is this a very bad condition??? Is there anything else to be done? I am on.statins and my cholesterol is very low and I exercise quite a bit...I smoked until 5 years ago, but I don't drink
...I do hzve a fairly high fat diet though.....would love to hear if there are any drugs to repair and/or prevent these changes .

rubytue70 | @rubytue70 | Aug 2 7:37pm

In reply to @leemoore13 "I attended a neurologist for an unrelated issue and HD ordered a brain MRI. My doctor..." + (show)

Hi. I am 70 and haven’t had a stroke per se. But I have ischaemic changes as well. If I were you I’d get off of a fatty diet, although a treat here and there is just fine.